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In Egyptian
mythology, Nehebkau (also spelt Nehebu-Kau,
and Neheb Ka) was originally the explanation,
of the cause, of binding of Ka and Ba
after death. Thus his name, which means
(one who) brings together Ka. Since these
aspects of the soul were said to bind
after death, Nehebkau was said to have
guarded the entrance to Duat,
the underworld.
As a two-headed snake, he was viewed
as fierce, being able to attack from two
directions, and not having to fear as
much confrontations.
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Consequently sometimes it was said that Atum,
the chief god in these areas, had to keep his
finger on him to prevent Nehebkau getting out
of control. Alternately, in areas where Ra
was the chief god, it was said that Nehebkau
was one of the warriors who protected Ra
whilst he was in the underworld, during Ra's
nighly travel, as a sun god, under the earth.
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When he was seen as a snake, he was also
thought to have some power over snake-bites,
and by extension, other poisonous bites,
such as those of scorpions, thus sometimes
being identified as the son of Serket,
the scorpion-goddess of protection against
these things. Alternatively, as a snake,
since he was connected to an aspect of
the soul, he was sometimes seen as the
son of Renenutet, a snake-goddess, who
distributed the Ren, another aspect of
the soul, and of the earth (Geb),
on which snakes crawl.
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Ka is also the Egyptian word for phallus, and
so as the somewhat difficult to interpret (one
who) harnesses together phalluses, he was often
depicted in an Ithyphallic manner (still as
a snake).
Gods
and Goddesses Menu
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